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Why to Report

Public health agencies are responsible for preventing disease and injury in humans. It is imperative for public health agencies to know when a disease outbreak is occurring. This information is gathered by several means, one of which is through the reporting of diseases by physicians, veterinarians, and other health professionals. Since many of the communicable diseases that affect humans are zoonotic in nature, the veterinarian’s role in disease reporting is extremely important.

Many of the organisms used in bio-warfare are zoonotic in nature and the intentional release of one of these biological agents is likely show up first in the animal population. Regardless of whether a zoonotic disease outbreak is a natural occurrence or the result of an intentional terrorist attack, rapid recognition of the outbreak is crucial in protecting the public. The veterinarian’s role in reporting suspicion of such outbreaks cannot be overstated.

Not only is it the duty of a veterinarian to report such diseases, it is the law. For more information about this law, click here.